LLMs for health: Perceived benefits, risks, intention to use AI chatbots, and willingness to self-disclose across sensitive health topics
2026-07-10 • Human-Computer Interaction
Human-Computer InteractionArtificial Intelligence
AI summaryⓘ
The authors studied how different health topics and personal traits affect people's thoughts and behavior when using AI chatbots for health questions. They found that whether people plan to use the chatbot and share personal health info depends mostly on how beneficial or risky they think it is, not so much on the topic itself. People liked using the chatbot more for less sensitive topics. Individual differences also influenced their attitudes. Overall, perceived benefits and risks and personal traits matter most for chatbot use and sharing health details.
AI chatbothealth informationself-disclosureperceived benefitsperceived riskstopic sensitivityintention to useonline experimentindividual characteristicshealth communication
Authors
Gwenn Beets, Anniek Jansen, Saar Hommes, Ruben D. Vromans, Leonie Westerbeek, Supraja Sankaran, Julia C. M. van Weert, Emiel J. Krahmer, Nadine Bol
Abstract
AI chatbots are increasingly used for answering health-related questions. This study examines the role of topic type discussed with an AI chatbot and individual characteristics on perceived benefits and risks, intention to use an AI chatbot, and willingness to self-disclose health information. We conducted an online experiment with a 2 (topic type: physical versus psychological, between-subjects) x 2 (topic sensitivity: low versus high, within-subjects) mixed design among a Dutch representative sample (N = 1,388). Results showed that perceived benefits were positively associated with intention and willingness to self-disclose, while perceived risks were negatively associated. Moreover, participants reported higher usage intentions for low-sensitive topics compared to high-sensitive topics. Furthermore, perceptions, intention, and willingness to self-disclose varied by individual characteristics. Overall, our findings suggest that intentions to use AI chatbots and self-disclosure of health-related information are primarily related to perceived benefits and risks and to personal characteristics rather than to topic type.